CivicLab launches new leadership academy
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Columbus-based not-for-profit CivicLab is welcoming over a dozen business leaders to its inaugural Systemness Leadership Academy Cohort.
The program is year-long and aims to give participants experience in creating better “systemness-center strategies” to better serve people in the context of common social issues. CivicLab defines systemness as a quality where people think of themselves to be part of a larger system and work for the benefit of the system.
“Our social systems were designed for a world that no longer exists,” CivicLab executive director Jack Hess said in a news release. “And while we have become quite good at solving problems with advances in science and technology, we have yet to learn how to dissolve problems by redesigning the underlying systems that are causing the problems in the first place. That’s what we designed the leadership academy to do: to teach leaders that it’s a system thing, not a single thing.”
The cohort consists of 14 leaders from seven states and various backgrounds and focus areas. CivicLab said in the release it intends for this program to create a group of national leaders dedicated to better social systems.
The academy will teach participants how to make invisible systems operating in their communities visible to improve well-being and find solutions.
“The excitement and honor I feel are beyond words as I join the esteemed inaugural cohort of leaders undergoing formal training with CivicLab,” said Shareea Woods, director of the Texas College Access Network and cohort participant. “This transformative program equips us with the expertise to adeptly facilitate the implementation of their powerful frameworks and cutting-edge tools, empowering me to make an even greater impact on the lives of students throughout Texas.”
CivicLab is accepting nominations and applications for the next cohort beginning in October.